Ingredient Memlet

The idea here is of a “beating towards” or “pounding towards” the ground; thus, when something is “beaten” or “pounded” down, it abates or is lessened, although it doesn’t completely go away immediately.

Ingredient Memlet

If something is completely obsolete, it is no longer “in the habit of” being “used;” anything obsolescent, however, such as the rotary phone or transistor radio, is slowly fading but not completely out of “use.”